…music worth finding
April 15 to 30, 2023
BEETHOVEN 253 — A Belated Birthday Celebration
Paul Smith, Director
The worldwide celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday was brought to an abrupt halt by the pandemic. COM Music Program and Music from Marin, Paul Smith, director, presents three programs of magnificent but lesser-known works in this long-delayed birthday celebration.
Marin Oratorio
Marin Oratorio, Paul Smith, director, performs two works of profound beauty from Beethoven’s late period. Calm Seas and Prosperous Voyage is a setting of Johann von Goethe’s deeply moving poem, and The Ruins of Athens is a rarely heard stage work on the subject of freedom. Both works have orchestral accompaniment and feature singers/narrators Paul Thompson and Sibel Demirmen. Performed in German, with English supertitles.
Featuring:
Paul Thompson, Sibel Demirmen
Saturday, April 15, 7:30 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
Sunday, April 16, 3 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
Admission: $20 general; $15 senior, COM employees, and students. Free parking.
All proceeds support Marin Oratorio and its ongoing mission to bring the great choral masterworks to Marin County audiences.
Contemporary Opera Marin
Contemporary Opera Marin presents Beethoven, A Life Remembered — A weaving of music by and about Beethoven, with his closest friends’ and contemporaries’ readings of letters and observations. Learn things you never knew, and hear fascinating music unjustly overlooked in an intimate setting.
Featuring:
Michael Mendelsohn, Sibel Demirmen
Friday, April 21, 7:30 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Saturday, April 22, 3 pm
O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Saturday, April 22, 7:30 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Sunday, April 23, 2 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Free Admission and Parking
Paul Smith Piano Recital
Festival director Paul Smith performs Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, considered one of the greatest keyboard works. Also, short variations on the Diabelli theme by Beethoven’s contemporaries as well as Marin composers Tara Flandreau, Jules Langert, Ron Fein, and Mark Volkert.
Friday, April 28, 7:30 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Saturday, April 29, 7 pm
Muir Beach Community Center
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Sunday, April 30, 2 pm
COM James Dunn Theatre, Kentfield
RESERVE A SPOT FREE
Free Admission and Parking
For more information: (415) 485-9460
Individuals seeking access support or reasonable accommodations to attend this event may contact (415) 485-9460.